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BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Social support for women of reproductive age and its predictors: a population-based study

Authors: Azam Baheiraei, Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Eesa Mohammadi, Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh Charandabi, Saharnaz Nedjat

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Social support is an exchange of resources between at least two individuals perceived by the provider or recipient to be intended to promote the health of the recipient. Social support is a major determinant of health. The objective of this study was to determine the perceived social support and its associated sociodemographic factors among women of reproductive age.

Methods

This was a population-based cross-sectional study with multistage random cluster sampling of 1359 women of reproductive age. Data were collected using questionnaires on sociodemographic factors and perceived social support (PRQ85-Part 2). The relationship between the dependent variable (perceived social support) and the independent variables (sociodemographic characteristics) was analyzed using the multivariable linear regression model.

Results

The mean score of social support was 134.3 ± 17.9. Women scored highest in the “worth” dimension and lowest in the “social integration” dimension. Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that the variables of education, spouse’s occupation, Sufficiency of income for expenses and primary support source were significantly related to the perceived social support.

Conclusion

Sociodemographic factors affect social support and could be considered in planning interventions to improve social support for Iranian women.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Social support for women of reproductive age and its predictors: a population-based study
Authors
Azam Baheiraei
Mojgan Mirghafourvand
Eesa Mohammadi
Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh Charandabi
Saharnaz Nedjat
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-12-30

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